The Power of an Intervention
Not every addict in need of rehab is going to jump at the chance of a handling. For this reason, an intervention can honestly be the difference between life and death for a person.
Certain addicts have been so beaten down by life that they will look at rehabilitation as a saviour, but others haven’t yet gotten to a point of urgency in getting themselves clean, some need external urging to nudge the person towards help.
Interventions are helpful tools for families or groups of friends who are dealing with a loved one suffering from addiction.
There is no point forcing someone into rehab, but equally, if a person is blind to the true state of their addiction and behaviour they will continue on their downward spiral of drink and drugs.
Standing idly by and watching a loved one decline is not positive. Not only for them, but for you too—stress, worry and lost sleep become the order of the day, and it is not only the addict who can start on a decline.
Don’t give up, an intervention may be just what is needed to truly help.
Interventions can be done in multiple ways:
- Get in a professional interventionist who coaches the family and sets up a group meeting, where it is all discussed together.
- A professional interventionist can also do a one-on-one meeting.
- You can do an intervention yourself, but make sure you are fully prepared.
There are a few key benefits to getting in a professional:
- They have the experience.
- They won’t let emotion and personal ties stand in the way.
- They are often a former addict and can talk with real, hard-won experience.
So if your loved one is not facing rehabilitation with open arms, if you are facing resistance when you bring it up, don’t give up—there is always something else to try.
And at the end of the day, you may not forgive yourself if you feel you didn’t do everything possible to help your loved one get back on the path to life. Do everything you can, don’t minimise the power of an intervention, and you may be surprised with the result.
